New recipe: Granola bars!

I'm a girl on the run a lot. Grad school, work, working out, etc. keep me pretty busy. I like to have some healthy grab 'n go snacks around the house. If I don't I either starve or eat naughty things--bad idea!

So today while doing some homework I mixed up some granola bars and  popped them in the oven. Super simple, very tasty, and a sweet treat when I need to grab some energy and throw it into my bag. Now these have some sugar so they're a bit caloric that way but the oats make them a little healthier and homemade is definitely better than processed and store bought. Next batch I'll make with half the amount of sugar.

Here's the recipe. Feel free to add and subtract spices or morsels as you like.


Pumpkin Granola Bars
from Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 3 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Put a long piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the pan, letting the parchment extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt together. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract. Pour mixture over oats and stir well, until combined. Stir in chocolate chips and cranberries.
4. Place the mixture into the prepared pan. Using a small piece of parchment paper, press mixture evenly into pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, then cut into squares and serve.
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